Thought for the Day – 28 February – The Soldier of Christ Must Avoid All which May Disturb His Peace of Mind (Part One)

Thought for the Day – 28 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXV: … The Soldier of Christ Must Avoid All
which May Disturb His Peace of Mind
(Part One)

“When we have lost our peace of mind, we should do our utmost to recover it; neither, is there any accident of life which should reasonably have power to deprive us of that peace, or even to trouble it.
Over our own sins, we have indeed cause to mourn deeply but, our sorrow, as I have shown more than once, should be calm and in like manner, without any disquiet but with a holy feeling of charity, should we compassionate other sinners and weep, at least inwardly, over their offenses.

As to other sad and trying events, such as sickness, wounds, or loss of dearest friends, pestilence, fire, war, or suchlike evils – although these being painful to nature, are, for the most part, shunned by the men of this world, yet may we, by Divine grace, not only desire but, even love them, as just chastisements upon the wicked and occasions of virtue to the just.
For, therefore, does our Lord God take pleasure in sending them and thus borne forward by His will, we shall pass, with a calm and quiet spirit, through all the bitterness and contradictions of this life.
And be assured that all disquietude, on our part, is displeasing in His sight for, of whatever kind it be, it is never free from imperfection and always springs from some evil root of self-love.

Keep, therefore, a sentinel always on the watch, who, as soon as he shall discern the approach of anything likely to disquiet or disturb you, may give you a signal, to take up your weapons of defence!

And consider that, all these evils,and many others of a like kind, although outwardly they appear to be such, are not indeed real evils, nor can they rob us of any real good but are all ordered, or permitted by God, for the righteous ends of which we have spoken, or for others, most wise and holy, although beyond our power to discern and understand.

So, may the most untoward accident work for us much good, if we do but keep our souls in peace and tranquillity, otherwise, all our exercises will produce little, or no fruit!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli